"This one used to have this awful wallpaper over here, and the cabinets had grease stains which wouldn't come out," she said. "This is so much better."

The apartments have clean white cabinets and stainless steel sinks. Lawson said the shelter will receive new furniture but will still accept some used furniture donations.

Damage from April's fire is still visible at 217 N. 6th St. Work is not as far along on that building, Lawson said. Less extensive renovations were planned before the fire.

Despite the fire damage and construction work, the shelter has four occupied apartments. Lawson hopes to have 16 open by the end of March.

Although she could not say how long the waiting list for the shelter is, it was more than 100 families before the fire, Lawson said.

"While they are waiting, they stay with relatives, stay with friends, stay in a hotel or stay in a car," she said.

Jennings said he is concerned but hopeful that individuals who were approached late in the campaign will come through with substantial funds to finish the project.

Corporate donors were approached early on, he said. The top five donors so far are Trexler Trust with $100,000, Air Products and Chemicals with $40,000, the Rider-Pool Foundation with $25,000, and Meridian and First Fidelity banks, each with $15,000.

Jennings said he is impressed with the response.

"It is a credit to the community and one we've grown to expect," he said. "The people here have shown they want to take care of their own."